Manchester Victoria Refurbishment

[Dunc108]

Victoria is far more convenient for me than Piccadilly, with be being served by the Chat Moss line!

Victoria's by far better for city centre shopping & not to mention the Arndale Centre, MEN Arena, Cathedral, Printworks & Football Museum.

 

[DJH1971]

Victoria's by far better for city centre shopping & not to mention the Arndale Centre, MEN Arena, Cathedral, Printworks & Football Museum.

Only a couple of minutes by foot. Can't complain there!

 

[hairyhandedfool]

Given there are only to be ten 350/4s, I rather suspect none of them will be used on Liverpool-Newcastle runs. I believe the idea was to have a new fleet ordered in time for the wider electrified TPE network (releasing the 350/4s for use by LM).

Anyway, back on topic, last I heard there were rumours that some of Victoria station would be closed off again this Sunday for work to continue on the roof above the concourse. Not sure how true that is though.

 

[DJH1971]

Given there are only to be ten 350/4s, I rather suspect none of them will be used on Liverpool-Newcastle runs. I believe the idea was to have a new fleet ordered in time for the wider electrified TPE network (releasing the 350/4s for use by LM).

Anyway, back on topic, last I heard there were rumours that some of Victoria station would be closed off again this Sunday for work to continue on the roof above the concourse. Not sure how true that is though.

Well, as long as Saturday services are still going to be running!

 

[Dunc108]

It'll be 185s initially of course, but even when the wires are up it's unlikely to be 350s- the TPE 350/4s are only a stopgap for the Scottish services and will probably find a long-term home in the West Midlands along with their sister units. I do worry that switching most of the TPE services to Victoria will be met with moans from many users, though personally I find Victoria to be a far more convenient location. People just don't like change!

Yeah, I guess it felt odd at first when Blackpool services returned after an absence of many years (although Victoria was always their spiritual home) but after travelling on them personally for a number of years they've evolved into a real success, and are just as busy as any other service into Manchester and even attract end to end customers. The Blackpool services have been back at Victoria for 5 years now, seems like a while now! As for TPE, most services using the Ordsall Curve will continue to serve Piccadilly, but they'll also stop at Victoria being rerouted via Miles Platting. One amusing possibility will be the prospect of travelling from Piccadilly to Victoria faster by 185 via Ordsall Curve than via Metrolink tram through the city!

 

[185]

One amusing possibility will be the prospect of travelling from Piccadilly to Victoria faster by 185 via Ordsall Curve than via Metrolink tram through the city!

When Salford Crescent was shut, I had to do a reversal at Ordsall Lane Points and back into Piccadilly, one night at 4am (booked route OrdsllLnJn on guard & drivers altered workings). Vic to Pic was 9 mins. When it's built, I reckon 5-6 mins max, assuming no stop at Man Ox Rd.

 

[Darren R]

When Salford Crescent was shut, I had to do a reversal at Ordsall Lane Points and back into Piccadilly, one night at 4am (booked route OrdsllLnJn on guard & drivers altered workings). Vic to Pic was 9 mins. When it's built, I reckon 5-6 mins max, assuming no stop at Man Ox Rd.

Picc - Vic: ten minutes on the train, forty years in the planning! Who says we are slow on such matters in the UK?

 

[snowball]

Anyway, back on topic, last I heard there were rumours that some of Victoria station would be closed off again this Sunday for work to continue on the roof above the concourse. Not sure how true that is though.

It's been known for ages to readers of the Skyscrapercity thread on Victoria that there will be major works on the 15th.

 

[Darren R]

Now that the Rainy Season is upon us a questioon has just occurred to me. Is the concourse at Victoria to be devoid of cover between old and new roof?

 

[Buspilot]

there will be major works on the 15th.

The 1000 tonne crane is scheduled to return, to complete the removal of the old roof.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Whilst I note some posts make reference to service matters historical, do not forget that the Windsor Link did so afford services approaching Manchester from the western direction via Bolton the opportunity to access both Manchester Victoria and Manchester Piccadilly railway stations.

However, as Manchester Victoria is the theme of this thread, will the now-existing trackwork diagrams that so apply from Salford Crescent through Salford Central into Manchester Victoria be deemed still to be suitable to carry the expected traffic increase that could apply in future years.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

It's been known for ages to readers of the Skyscrapercity thread on Victoria that there will be major works on the 15th.

Well I guess I better bookmark skyscrapercity just in case something slightly interesting to someone else just happens to appear on it then.:roll:

Now that the Rainy Season is upon us a questioon has just occurred to me. Is the concourse at Victoria to be devoid of cover between old and new roof?

There was a temporary metalwork/scaffold roof in place where the old roof had been removed when I was last there.

 

[Dunc108]

Whilst I note some posts make reference to service matters historical, do not forget that the Windsor Link did so afford services approaching Manchester from the western direction via Bolton the opportunity to access both Manchester Victoria and Manchester Piccadilly railway stations.

However, as Manchester Victoria is the theme of this thread, will the now-existing trackwork diagrams that so apply from Salford Crescent through Salford Central into Manchester Victoria be deemed still to be suitable to carry the expected traffic increase that could apply in future years.

There seems a real thrust to reopen the 2 disused platforms at Salford Central, i'm hoping, and it would make perfect sense to slew the tracks into these for the use of Liverpool & Manchester Airport services with the Ordsall Curve completion. It would also be useful for all 4 platforms to be flexible for both Liverpool/Ordsall/Bolton line movements, afterall, it was also a former relief station for Victoria from a historical perspective so any projected expansion would come at just the right time.

 

[DJH1971]

There seems a real thrust to reopen the 2 disused platforms at Salford Central, i'm hoping, and it would make perfect sense to slew the tracks into these for the use of Liverpool & Manchester Airport services with the Ordsall Curve completion. It would also be useful for all 4 platforms to be flexible for both Liverpool/Ordsall/Bolton line movements, afterall, it was also a former relief station for Victoria from a historical perspective so any projected expansion would come at just the right time.

It makes brilliant sense, and would enable more people who work in Salford and nearby to get the work on the train without having to change at Victoria or Piccadilly, and also cause slightly less congestion on the roads.

It needs to be done and it's not exactly impossible to achieve.

 

[snowball]

The big crane has reportedly failed to turn up.

Maybe too windy to do lifts today?

 

[PR1Berske]

It makes brilliant sense, and would enable more people who work in Salford and nearby to get the work on the train without having to change at Victoria or Piccadilly, and also cause slightly less congestion on the roads.

It needs to be done and it's not exactly impossible to achieve.

And in so doing, "Salford Central" could be given a new name as, iirc, this forum many moons ago agreed it was not quite Salford and certainly not Central.

 

[snail]

And in so doing, "Salford Central" could be given a new name as, iirc, this forum many moons ago agreed it was not quite Salford and certainly not Central.

How do you work that out? Salford is on the "Right Bank" of the Irwell, so the station is most definitely in that city. The historic centre of Salford is around Trinity Church, roughly halfway between Salford Central and Manchester Victoria. The old Salford town hall is a stone's throw from Central station in Bexley Square.

Next you'll be coming up with a proof that Manchester Exchange was never in Salford!

 

[Dunc108]

And in so doing, "Salford Central" could be given a new name as, iirc, this forum many moons ago agreed it was not quite Salford and certainly not Central.

Its a damn site more central than Crescent which is nothing more than a perifory Interchange.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

How do you work that out? Salford is on the "Right Bank" of the Irwell, so the station is most definitely in that city. The historic centre of Salford is around Trinity Church, roughly halfway between Salford Central and Manchester Victoria. The old Salford town hall is a stone's throw from Central station in Bexley Square.

Next you'll be coming up with a proof that Manchester Exchange was never in Salford!

Oh well if it comes to the worst we can always call it Salford Exchange! the very reason BR added 'Central' was to distinguish it from 'Crescent' which obviously isnt as Central...

 

[PR1Berske]

How do you work that out? Salford is on the "Right Bank" of the Irwell, so the station is most definitely in that city. The historic centre of Salford is around Trinity Church, roughly halfway between Salford Central and Manchester Victoria. The old Salford town hall is a stone's throw from Central station in Bexley Square.

Next you'll be coming up with a proof that Manchester Exchange was never in Salford!

Not me! I'm sure we had a discussion on here years ago about the name not being suitable!

 

[snail]

the very reason BR added 'Central' was to distinguish it from 'Crescent' which obviously isnt as Central...

Nothing wrong with Salford Crescent as a name, that's the road it adjoins. Alternatives would be Windsor Bridge or Pendleton. But as there was already a Pendleton station (formerly Pendleton Broad Street) that was not an option.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Alternatives would be Windsor Bridge or Pendleton. But as there was already a Pendleton station (formerly Pendleton Broad Street) that was not an option.

Two actually in Pendleton....Pendleton Bridge station and Pendleton Broad Street station.

 

[DJH1971]

How would 'Salford Trinity' sound for a new name?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Would you then suggest changing the name of Wakefield Kirkgate to Wakefield Trinity ?

 

[DJH1971]

Would you then suggest changing the name of Wakefield Kirkgate to Wakefield Trinity ?

Merely a suggestion, as Trinity Bridge is not too far away.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Merely a suggestion, as Trinity Bridge is not too far away.

Pardon my lapse into sporting connections. Sacred Trinity church, so well known in this area, was said to be the first church in Salford.

 

[table38]

Maybe Network Rail are missing a trick and should start getting sponsors for stations.

How about "Salford Halfords" ?

 

[TheKnightWho]

Maybe Network Rail are missing a trick and should start getting sponsors for stations.

How about "Salford Halfords" ?

They'd better bloody not, or we'll start seeing monstrosities like this again...

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Can I be boring and remind everyone that this thread is called "Manchester Victoria refurbishment" and is nothing at all to do with stations in the Salford area.

Otherwise, we will be having reminiscences about the past stations at Miles Platting, Park, Newton Heath, etc, once the current "love-in" about Salford ceases...:roll:

 

[DJH1971]

Can I be boring and remind everyone that this thread is called "Manchester Victoria refurbishment" and is nothing at all to do with stations in the Salford area.

Otherwise, we will be having reminiscences about the past stations at Miles Platting, Park, Newton Heath, etc, once the current "love-in" about Salford ceases...:roll:

Fair do's.

But let me finish in saying that would make great sense to re-introduce the other platforms at Salford Central for Liverpool-bound trains.

 

[PR1Berske]

Fair do's.

But let me finish in saying that would make great sense to re-introduce the other platforms at Salford Central for Liverpool-bound trains.

I agree. "Salford Whatever-It-Should-Be-Called" needs to have those platforms re-introduced as part of the wider regeneration of the area.